2 Chronicles 16

1 anno autem tricesimo sexto regni eius ascendit Baasa rex Israhel in Iudam et muro circumdabat Rama ut nullus tute posset egredi et ingredi de regno Asa

2 protulit ergo Asa argentum et aurum de thesauris domus Domini et de thesauris regis misitque ad Benadad regem Syriae qui habitabat in Damasco dicens

3 foedus inter me et te est pater quoque meus et pater tuus habuere concordiam quam ob rem misi tibi argentum et aurum ut rupto foedere quod habes cum Baasa rege Israhel facias eum a me recedere

4 quo conperto Benadad misit principes exercituum suorum ad urbes Israhel qui percusserunt Ahion et Dan et Abelmaim et universas urbes muratas Nepthalim

5 quod cum audisset Baasa desivit aedificare Rama et intermisit opus suum

6 porro Asa rex adsumpsit universum Iudam et tulerunt lapides Rama et ligna quae aedificationi praeparaverat Baasa aedificavitque ex eis Gabaa et Maspha

7 in tempore illo venit Anani propheta ad Asam regem Iuda et dixit ei quia habuisti fiduciam in rege Syriae et non in Domino Deo tuo idcirco evasit Syriae regis exercitus de manu tua

8 nonne Aethiopes et Lybies multo plures erant quadrigis et equitibus et multitudine nimia quos cum Domino credidisses tradidit in manu tua

9 oculi enim eius contemplantur universam terram et praebent fortitudinem his qui corde perfecto credunt in eum stulte igitur egisti et propter hoc ex praesenti tempore contra te bella consurgent

10 iratusque Asa adversus videntem iussit eum mitti in nervum valde quippe super hoc fuerat indignatus et interfecit de populo in tempore illo plurimos

11 opera autem Asa prima et novissima scripta sunt in libro regum Iuda et Israhel

12 aegrotavit etiam Asa anno tricesimo nono regni sui dolore pedum vehementissimo et nec in infirmitate sua quaesivit Dominum sed magis in medicorum arte confisus est

13 dormivitque cum patribus suis et mortuus est anno quadragesimo primo regni sui

14 et sepelierunt eum in sepulchro suo quod foderat sibi in civitate David posueruntque eum super lectulum suum plenum aromatibus et unguentis meretriciis quae erant pigmentariorum arte confecta et conbuserunt super eum ambitione nimia

2 Chronicles 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

Asa seeks the aid of the Syrians, His death.

- A plain and faithful reproof was given to Asa by a prophet of the Lord, for making a league with Syria. God is displeased when he is distrusted, and when an arm of flesh is relied on, more than his power and goodness. It is foolish to lean on a broken reed, when we have the Rock of ages to rely upon. To convince Asa of his folly, the prophet shows that he, of all men, had no reason to distrust God, who had found him such a powerful Helper. The many experiences we have had of the goodness of God to us, aggravate our distrust of him. But see how deceitful our hearts are! we trust in God when we have nothing else to trust to, when need drives us to him; but when we have other things to stay on, we are apt to depend too much on them. Observe Asa's displeasure at this reproof. What is man, when God leaves him to himself! He that abused his power for persecuting God's prophet, was left to himself, to abuse it further for crushing his own subjects. Two years before he died, Asa was diseased in his feet. Making use of physicians was his duty; but trusting to them, and expecting that from them which was to be had from God only, were his sin and folly. In all conflicts and sufferings we need especially to look to our own hearts, that they may be perfect towards God, by faith, patience, and obedience.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 16

Baasha coming up against Judah, and building Ramah, Asa made a league with the king of Syria, and hired him to make a diversion in his favour, and cause Baasha to leave off building, which succeeded, 2Ch 16:1-6, for which he was reproved by a prophet of the Lord, with whom he was so angry for it as to put him in prison, and oppress others, 2Ch 16:7,10, and the chapter is closed with an account of his disease and conduct under it, and of his death and burial, 2Ch 16:11-14.